Decent Work in Sub-Saharan Africa: an Application of Psychology of Working Theory in a Sample of Togolese Primary School Teachers

This study examined the validity of Psychology of Working Theory (PWT) in a context of sub-Saharan Africa. A sample of 334 Togolese primary school teachers completed the French versions of the Decent Work Scale (DWS), the Togolese adapted form of the Satisfaction With Life Scale, the Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS), and several items about meaning at work and other personal and contextual variables (e.g., subjective salary conditions). The results suggest that both the DWS and the JSS are valid in this specific cultural setting. Although a person-centered variable (i.e., safe working conditions) was related to job satisfaction, only those variables that would have positive effects on workers’ family members and relatives (i.e., access to health care, adequate compensation, free time and rest, and complementary values) were related to life satisfaction. Overall, the results supported the validity of PWT. Implications for labor policy, individuals, employers, and counseling are discussed.